10 Unforgettable Ways to Experience New York with Kids

New York City might be the world’s most thrilling playground for kids of all ages. The pool of possibilities is bottomless, and no niche is too small — whatever your children are passionate about, they’ll find ample ways to indulge, from sports to shopping to show tunes. Here are 10 of our favorite ideas for tailoring a New York trip … let these inspire you to create a unique kid-approved itinerary of your own.

10 Ideas for Exploring New York with Kids

For First-Timers

If this is your first family vacation to New York, have a blast hitting the big-name sights. Ferry over to the Statue of Liberty; see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall; stroll the High Line and the Brooklyn Bridge; conquer mega-museums such as the Met and MoMA. Snap a selfie with Wall Street’s Charging Bull and people-watch at Times Square for as long as you can stand the crowds.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum has become an essential stop (with kids 10 or younger, pay tribute at the reflecting pools but save the museum for a future visit, as it may be upsetting for them). Of course, an inaugural New York trip isn’t complete without a view from at least one of the three major observatories: the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock or One World Observatory. Our CB! team has had good experiences at each.

TIP: Crunch the numbers to determine whether the New York CityPASS is worth your while based on what you want to see. If your sightseeing schedule is ambitious, the savings can add up.

For Foodies

Is there a better place in the world to take budding gourmands? From upper-echelon dining to traditional ethnic eats and first-rate markets, the city’s ever-shifting food scene is as exciting as you’ll find. It’s impossible to make a dent in the vast array of local restaurants, but you’ll enjoy trying. Balance tourist icons such as Katz’s Deli and Nom Wah Tea Parlor with newer neighborhood gems (ask your hotel concierge for recommendations and reservations help). Taste your way through Chelsea Market and Gotham West Market, and visit specialty-food stalwarts like Amy’s Bread, Russ & Daughters and Zabar’s. And splurge on at least one old-school, only-in-New-York meal — maybe the Grand Central Oyster Bar or the 1885 Keens Steakhouse, which has a display case filled with pipes smoked by famous patrons over the years.

Culinary tours are plentiful here, themed around every neighborhood and tailored to all fancies. Pizza, dim sum, soul food … whatever your taste buds desire, there’s something that will tempt them. Our CB Travel Advisor team can help you choose a vetted tour to match your wish list and kids’ ages. Children 11 and up can participate in the League of Kitchens, where you’re invited into the home of an immigrant to learn how to make his or her native cuisine. Ethnicities include Uzbek, Greek, Indonesian, Lebanese and more.

For Shopaholics

New York is a shopper’s paradise, stuffed with an overwhelming variety of indie boutiques, department stores and specialty shops. The best way to tackle it? Choose a neighborhood and dive in. Local shop listings can help you decide where you want to devote your time, but here are a few good places to start: Tweens and teens flock to Century 21 (downtown near the 9/11 Memorial) for discounted designer outfits, plus the Westfield World Trade Center mall at the Oculus transport hub nearby and the upscale Brookfield Place mall on the Battery.

The East Village and Lower East Side are great places to find clothing, shoes and jewelry with a little edge, while SoHo is home to many of the chains popular with older kids, among them Glossier, Uniqlo and Brandy Melville. And that’s just in Manhattan! Plus, professional retail help is yours for the asking: personal stylists who escort visitors to luxury boutiques; custom-curated shopping maps for those who prefer to go it alone; and tours focused on vintage goods and sample sales.

For Bookworms

From Harriet the Spy and Eloise to Stuart Little and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, New York has played a starring role in scores of beloved books. Take pint-size readers to the sites so memorably depicted in their pages, such as the Plaza Hotel (which offers Eloise-themed restaurant menus, a playful pink bedroom suite and more) and the Met. At the flagship Stephen A. Schwarzman Building of the New York Public Library, guarded by twin lion statues Patience and Fortitude, free daily tours introduce visitors to the highlights and history of this glorious grande dame.

Serious literature lovers will be smitten with the Morgan Library & Museum, a magnificent collection that includes hundreds of original manuscripts by greats like Dickens, Thoreau, Jane Austen and John Milton. Be sure to build in time for a visit to one or more of the city’s excellent bookstores — The Strand in Manhattan has four levels packed with volumes for every age, while Books Are Magic is a must-peruse in Brooklyn.

For Little Ones

New York with toddlers and preschoolers? It is possible — even fun. While most of the major museums are too much for tiny tots, the American Museum of Natural History captivates them with dinosaur skeletons, a life-size blue whale and other displays. The Brooklyn Children’s Museum offers open play and hands-on activities during general admission hours (Wednesday through Sunday). Other small museums, like the New York Transit Museum, suit short attention spans perfectly.

Head to the famous Bronx Zoo to gaze at creatures like grizzly bears, Asian elephants and snow leopards up close. At Brooklyn Bridge Park, take a spin on the restored 1922 Jane’s Carousel, or opt for the SeaGlass Carousel on Manhattan’s Battery. Ride a tram across the East River to Roosevelt Island, which offers plenty of room for little legs to run. And there’s always Central Park … endless green space, multiple playgrounds, mini boat races and statues of Alice in Wonderland and Hans Christian Andersen are just the tip of the kid-friendly iceberg.

TIP: On rainy days, check local listings for drop-in hours at play spaces around the city to let the kids blow off steam.

For Theatergoers

Broadway beckons! There’s always a family-oriented show playing at one of the city’s major theaters — current and past favorites have ranged from Mary Poppins to Wicked. Purchase tickets well in advance if there’s a show you absolutely must see. If you’d rather take your chances, visit one of the two TKTS venues in town, where you can score last-minute seats. (We like the one at Lincoln Center, which is indoors and has shorter lines.) Dance enthusiasts will want to check what’s on at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the New York City Ballet.

The New Amsterdam Theatre is home to Disney on Broadway, featuring beloved productions like Aladdin and The Lion King. Although it’s over-the-top kitschy, the younger set will get a kick out of eating at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, staffed with acting hopefuls who sing and dance as they serve ’50s diner fare. You might also opt for a private walking tour of Broadway, which provides a behind-the-scenes look at its history and some of its most legendary locales.

TIP: Keep an eye out for free theater performances in summer, held in parks and outdoor spaces throughout the city.

For History Buffs

New York has always been a place that charges forward instead of looking back, but the layers of the past peek through at every turn. Get a handle on the city’s history at the excellent New York Historical Society Museum & Library. From there, you’re spoiled for choice: Journey north to Fort Tryon Park to see the medieval treasures at the Met Cloisters, or admire the Art Deco splendor of landmarks like Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building. Tour Ellis Island’s National Immigration Museum, then visit the meticulously preserved Tenement Museum for a window into early-1900s immigrant life. To understand the story of New York’s Black community, plan an itinerary of museums, monuments, homes and performance venues dedicated to cultural insight and preservation, such as the Frederick Douglass Memorial and the Weeksville Heritage Center.

Kids studying the Revolutionary War in school might enjoy landmarks from that era like Bowling Green, Trinity Church, St. Paul’s Chapel, Federal Hall and others. Bonus: If your family has seen Hamilton, these sites will bring the musical to life in a fresh and indelible way.

For Outdoor Enthusiasts

Open-air adventure abounds in this most urban of destinations — you just have to know where to look. Hiking trails are laced throughout the five boroughs, and local green spaces, including Central Park, offer active pursuits like bouldering and fishing (really!). Rent bikes and spend a leisurely afternoon pedaling beside the Hudson River or around the car-free Governors Island. Birdwatching, golf, wildlife tours, horseback riding, canoeing … lovers of the outdoors have a surprising diversity of options.

Looking for a little more adrenaline? With older kids, kayaking and SUP tours along the Hudson and East Rivers yield a new perspective on the skyline. For mountain bikers, three trails (one each in Manhattan, Staten Island and Queens) allow you to ride to your heart’s content. And you can even take a surf lesson at Rockaway Beach in Queens — who knew?

For Music Lovers

New York’s long and colorful music history spans a spectrum of genres, from classical and jazz to punk, salsa and hip-hop. Treat kids to a performance at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, or go hear the New York Philharmonic. Harlem’s Apollo Theater, which sparked the careers of a pantheon of African-American musical greats, is available for tours. Pop into the Met to enjoy its collection of more than 5,000 instruments, including a Stradivari violin. Older kids who can appreciate jazz might enjoy an evening at a classic club like Birdland (ages 10 and up) or the Village Vanguard (ages 15 and up); rap and hip-hop fans won’t want to miss storied spots like Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx.

For rock & rollers, New York brims with sites connected to rock history, from Bob Dylan’s old Greenwich Village digs and Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studios to Strawberry Fields in Central Park. While there are companies that lead walking tours themed around these spots, the content is decidedly adult-oriented and not ideal for most kids. Our Advisors can help you arrange a similar tour that’s family-friendly.

For Sports Fans

Football, baseball, basketball, hockey — New York pro sports teams are legion. You’re almost certain to find a game to attend while you’re there, but if your teams of choice aren’t playing, you can still explore the iconic venues where they’re based. Visit Yankee Stadium and its Monument Park, which pays tribute to Yankees legends, or the Mets’ Citi Field. Go behind the scenes at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, home to both the Giants and the Jets. Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks and the Rangers play, is available for tours as well, and historic Holcombe Rucker Park is a must-see for many basketball devotees. Families who visit around Labor Day may be able to catch a round or two of the US Open tennis tournament in Queens.

To get in the game, stop by the Chelsea Piers complex on the west side of Manhattan. Daily drop-in activities include batting cages, basketball, ice skating and a golf driving range. A toddler gym keeps the youngest ones active while older kids swing, shoot and dribble to their heart’s content.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family-friendly accommodations and activities in New York on Ciao Bambino

10 insider spots in New York City with kids

Why choose the New York CityPASS for a vacation with kids

Best kid-friendly restaurants in New York City

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.